Microfluidic Devices and Flow Rate
Figure 1. Example lab-on-chip microfluidic devices designed to simulate the behavior of new medicines in the body, with the eventual goal to help us diagnose a wide range of medical conditions.Copyright (left) Micronit, Wikimedia Commons. {PD}; (right) 2003 Maggie Bartlett, National Human Genome Research Institute {PD} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glass-microreactor-chip-micronit.jpg
http://www.genome.gov/pressDisplay.cfm?photoID=20017
Students obtain a basic understanding of microfluidic devices, how they are developed and their uses in the medical field. After conducting the associated activity, they watch a video clip and learn about flow rate and how this relates to the speed at which medicine takes effect in the body. What they learn contributes to their ongoing objective to answer the challenge question presented in lesson 1 of this unit. They conclude by solving flow rate problems provided on a worksheet.
Biomedical, medical, chemical, electrical, mechanical, materials and computer engineers are all involved in assisting biologists and physicians in developing devices that enable us to observe microscopic cell interactions and reactions. Engineers design microfluidic devices to simulate how the body works and reacts. Engineers design artificial environments that simulate the body, and aid in the growth of cells. Other engineers create all sorts of devices and tools used in experiments.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe how microfluidic devices work.
- Determine flow rate.